Time away vs. extending handling time. Thoughts?

[jjddmwi]

What would you do?  I am leaving on a Sunday and returning late on a Wednesday.  

Trying to weigh the pros/cons.  I usually do time away, but I will be gone a shorter time than normal.   My current handling time is 3 days.

[kensgiftshop]

When I'm going to be out for a bit, I just shut everything down.

That way if something happens and I can't get back when I plan, I don't have to worry about anything.

[cityslickercreations2004]

I would use the time away feature (with a buffer) rather than just extending my handling time. That way I don't have to worry about an unexpected event(s) while away or when I return home.

[wastingtime101]

I would use Time Away with the option to allow sales.

The system will extend your handling time, your estimated delivery dates, and show a message to buyers saying don't expect shipping until you return.

If you just extend handling time, your estimated delivery dates will still be based on your historic shipping time. Could bite you.

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Here's the page about Time Away settings:

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/selling-tools/time-away?id=5137

If you allow sales while away, make sure you read all the exclusions carefully.

Plan to have any auctions or offers end a week before you leave. If you have automated offers enabled, turn them off here.

There's an option to set up an out of office auto-response within the Time Away settings.

Keep in mind you're still responsible for handling any return requests, claims or payment disputes that are filed while you're away. You may want to check in via the app or through a web browser on your phone every couple of days.

[simply-the-best-for-you]

I always use Time Away but keep my listings up for sale.  I do that whether I'll be gone for 3 days or 2 weeks.  Never had a problem.  

One warning though, do NOT do both!  When Time Away was new, I thought I still had to extend handling time, like we used to need to & that is NOT true.  Time Away will automatically extend the handling time.  Probably not a big deal if you're gone for a couple of days, but if it's over a week, it will really extend your delivery time.  I did it when I was going to be gone for 12 days or so & could not figure out why my items were set out for 3+ weeks delivery LOL. 

ETA:  @wastingtime101  hit on them, but the exclusions are SUPER important, as I got hit with issues b/c I didn't realize that Sent Offers were exempt from the updated Handling Time.  Also, learned the hard way that even if a return is being held by the PO cuz you're on vacation, it's considered Delivered by eBay & you're required to handle it without inspecting the item. 

[qualityrandomitems]

On one hand, if you do time away, eBay DESTORYS your impressions and it takes at least  a week to 3 weeks to climb back from the damage.  But on the other hand, if you have a lot of listings with variable handling times, it takes time to put back to a proper handling time.  If not many listings (under 100) I would just extend the handling time if you are going to be gone for less than a week. 

[rugerskick]

Bump up your handling times.

[simply-the-best-for-you]

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@qualityrandomitems wrote:

On one hand, if you do time away, eBay DESTORYS your impressions and it takes at least  a week to 3 weeks to climb back from the damage.  But on the other hand, if you have a lot of listings with variable handling times, it takes time to put back to a proper handling time.  If not many listings (under 100) I would just extend the handling time if you are going to be gone for less than a week. 

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Well, if you choose not to have your items available during the time period, then you're not going to get any impressions b/c you've chosen NOT TO!  If you leave them accessible to be purchased then everything continues as normal. 

[lakefor94]

Buyers don't read enough to understand handling time.

I always roll with, time away, listings cannot be purchased until I am fixin' to board the plane, on the way back, that is when I remove the time away feature.

[reallynicestamps]

Close down and don't have your listings available for purchase.

No purchases- no problems.

BTW if you have a lot of listings, you may want to re-open them in groups over a few days to spread out your "new " listings.

This may also give you a tiny boost in Search.

[jonathanbrightlight]

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@qualityrandomitems wrote:

On one hand, if you do time away, eBay DESTORYS your impressions and it takes at least  a week to 3 weeks to climb back from the damage.  But on the other hand, if you have a lot of listings with variable handling times, it takes time to put back to a proper handling time.  If not many listings (under 100) I would just extend the handling time if you are going to be gone for less than a week. 

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Our impressions have never been harmed by Time Away (except obviously while it's active).  Levels go right back to where they were immediately on return.

[gloryglorygifts]

I prefer the time away and allow sales. It's less pressure for me and you can always end it early if you want.

Enjoy your time away! 

[worldwide_ship]

I do time away and allow sales. And if a sale comes through I'll send a message to the buyer letting them know there will be a delay is shipping. 

[simply-the-best-for-you]

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@jonathanbrightlight wrote:

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@qualityrandomitems wrote:

On one hand, if you do time away, eBay DESTORYS your impressions and it takes at least  a week to 3 weeks to climb back from the damage.  But on the other hand, if you have a lot of listings with variable handling times, it takes time to put back to a proper handling time.  If not many listings (under 100) I would just extend the handling time if you are going to be gone for less than a week. 

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Our impressions have never been harmed by Time Away (except obviously while it's active).  Levels go right back to where they were immediately on return.

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Same here & since I always leave them active, I always have sales to package when I get back. 

[reallynicestamps]

If I'm away I don't have internet access short of the nearest public library.  Anyway, it's not a vacation if I'm working on eBay.

And if it's a family emergency, I don't need more hassles.